KAILH Low Profile Switch 1350 Chocolate RGB SMD (30, Choc Red) Review (2026)

Who these switches are for

This pack targets builders working on a low profile or split ergonomic keyboard designed around the Kailh Choc footprint, which is common on compact and travel-friendly custom boards. Thirty switches cover many small split keyboards outright, which often use somewhere between 30 and 50 keys per half or as a complete unit, though larger boards will need a second pack. It suits typists who prefer a light, linear feel without a tactile bump, since the Choc Red is tuned for smooth, low resistance presses. It is not a fit for anyone building a standard height mechanical keyboard with a normal MX-style PCB and keycap set, since the Choc system uses different dimensions throughout.

Switch specs and what they feel like

The Choc Red is a 5-pin linear switch rated at roughly 50 grams of operating force with a trigger point around 1.5mm into a total travel of about 3.2mm, noticeably shorter than a standard MX switch's 4mm travel. The shorter total travel is part of what makes low profile keyboards thinner overall, since the switch housing itself sits lower than a typical MX switch. Being a linear switch, there is no tactile bump or audible click during the press, just a smooth, consistent motion from top to bottom, which some typists find faster for repeated presses. The switch supports SMD RGB, so it works with PCBs that place an LED beneath the switch for per key lighting.

PCB and keycap compatibility

These are 5-pin switches built specifically for the Kailh Choc footprint, which uses a different stem shape and spacing than the standard MX cross-shaped stem, meaning they are not interchangeable with a regular mechanical keyboard PCB or plate. Builders need a PCB and case specifically designed around the Choc low profile system, which is common on kits sold for split ergonomic keyboards like several DIY community designs. Keycaps also need to be Choc-specific, since standard MX keycaps will not fit the V1 stem shape used here, and the pool of available Choc keycap sets is smaller and less varied than the MX keycap market. This compatibility requirement is the main thing to check before ordering, since the wrong PCB or case makes these switches unusable.

Living with a short travel linear switch

Typists moving from a standard MX board to a Choc low profile board often notice the shortened travel most in the first week, since the switch bottoms out sooner than expected and can feel abrupt until muscle memory adjusts to the shorter stroke. Once adjusted, many find the shorter travel speeds up repeated key presses, which is part of why low profile switches have found a following among fast typists and some gamers building compact travel boards. Because the switch is not factory lubed in this listing, some builders add a thin coat of lubricant to the stem and rails for a smoother, quieter result, similar to the lubing process used on standard MX switches, though care is needed given the smaller Choc housing.

Verdict and switch alternatives

This pack earns a score of 7.8 out of 10 in our low profile switch comparison, a solid mid pack choice for builders who specifically want a Choc Red linear and do not need a larger pack size. Builders who want a tactile feel instead of linear should look at the Kailh Choc V2 Unmute tactile switches covered elsewhere in this guide, which rank higher in this comparison. Anyone needing more than 30 switches for a larger board should also check the same brand's larger pack sizes, since buying multiple 30-count packs can cost more than a single bigger listing.

Frequently asked questions